ltitirs In to Ehitot
RECRUITING.
Bombay, 21st March 1869. Eire—Having-read in your valuable paper of 22d January and 5th Fe- bruary, two letters, headed "Enlistment of Soldiers" and ' A British Le- gion,' which direct attention to the difficulty of procuring recruits for the Army, the present deficiency amounting to not lees than 10,000 men, and sug- gesting that a corps be raised to be composed exclusively of men able to pro- duce testimonials as to character equal to those required of candidates for the Metropolitan Police, the chief reasons which deter the large class of young men alluded to by the writer, from enlisting, have been by him cor- rectly stated. There is, however, an essential difference between the two bodies of men; the service of the one being exclusively confined to London, and the greater part of the other being passed in the Colonies. But sines it would be most desirable, from our system of enlistment being a volun- tary one, to secure the services of these young men of good character, and there being in our Army a great deficiency of light troops, let me suggest that instead of " a British Legion " being raised, a second brigade be added tb the present "Rifle Brigade," and forming it into a Division. The Bat- talions of the second Brigade to be made up by volunteers from the Militia, and that it be made a point to get men of good character. Were a portion of their own oftieers permitted to volunteer with the men, little difficulty would probably be felt in securing the required number. Casualties to be filled up by recruits from the same districts. The trial might at least be made. Until railroads in this country (India) be more advanced, and per- mit a portion of the large force now stationed here to be withdrawn, the an- nual drain on the mother-country for men must be heavy. The change from the successful recruiting during the late season of national excitement has already began to be felt. It may be seriously doubted whether the ne- cessaq reliefs to regiments can be carried out for the next ten years, with- out raising another "Foreign Legion " for service in India; its depot to be at the Cape. I have the honour to be, your obedient servant A VETERAN.
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